It's Time 

Break Free from Anxiety
One Evidence-Based Step at a Time.

Integrated Therapy for Anxiety:
Trauma-Informed, Neuro-Affirming

Shelley Murphy Counselling 

Where every story is heard and every person matters.

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✨ Meet Lisa

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Counsellor. Neuro-Sparkly. Lived Experience Advocate.

Growing up with dyslexia, I intimately understand the challenges of being neurodivergent, though personally, I prefer the term neuro-sparkly. Social awkwardness, anxiety, and self doubt were constant companions until my parents trained in hypnotherapy. The results were transformative: not only did it ease my social anxiety, but it also helped with pain management for endometriosis and migraines.

That experience sparked a lifelong passion to explore the mind’s potential and help others navigate their own healing journeys.

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As a nurse, I was often praised for creating a safe, supportive environment for patients. That came from the unique perspective of being both a caregiver and a patient. It gave me an ‘inside view’, a deep well of empathy and understanding. When significant health challenges forced me to leave nursing, I was grief-stricken. But I embraced my family’s motto: turn pain into purpose (thank you, Viktor Frankl).

Becoming a counsellor felt like the most meaningful way to honour my experience. As someone who’s proudly neuro-spicy, I knew I’d need to take a step-by-step approach, eating the elephant one bite at a time. My educational journey hasn’t been linear, but it’s been essential for building confidence and depth.

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A pivotal point came in my 40s, when I had to reassess my needs to return to university. It was then that I truly understood the full extent of what being neurodiverse meant. This ignited a profound journey of self acceptance and growth. With understanding came acceptance, and I realised I had been allowing others' limiting beliefs to stop me from doing what I loved. Embracing my neuro-sparkliness opened up the world for me. I have now dropped the mask and stopped trying to fit into a world that isn't always accommodating to the neuro-sparkly brain.

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My therapeutic style is grounded in this lived experience, not just textbooks. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and to struggle with self doubt. That’s why I create a space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and empowered to grow.

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If you’re facing personal obstacles, chronic illness, disability, or simply feeling stuck, I’d be honoured to support you. I integrate evidence-based methods like hypnotherapy and EMDR, but above all, I promise this:

When you sit with me, I’ll see beyond your label—to you, and all the possibilities that come with that.

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​​​There are more than 30 private health insurance providers in Australia and of these a small number provide cover for hypnotherapy services.  Generally hypnotherapy comes under extras cover and a high level of insurance is required to make a claim. As of April 2022 GoAH members have been accredited for the following health funds:

• HBF

• CBH

• HCF

• HCI

• Queensland Country Health Fund

• St Lukes Health 

 All funds have different rules and requirements but there is generally an upper limit of around $200 which can be claimed in any one year. Clients are advised to check with their insurer as to whether their plan covers hypnotherapy.